LECTURE

Philippine Politics and Governance

The meaning of politics

• The word politics comes from a Greek term politika meaning ‘the affairs of the cities.’ It is
a process of making decisions that apply to members of a group.
• Politics is the study of (who gets what, when and how) as Harold Laswell states.
• Politics is the exercise of power, the science of government, the making of collective
decisions, the allocation of scarce resources and the practice of deception and
manipulation.
• It refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance-organized control over a
human community, particularly a state.
• Other meaning: the activities, actions and policies that are used to gain and hold power
in a government or to influence a government.

Reflection 1

How do you apply politics in the following:

• Household
• School
• Neighborhood
• Community

Characteristics of politics

( Shieveley, 2013)

1. Politics always involves the making of collective decisions for group of people.

2. Those decisions are made by some members of the group, exercising power over other
members of the group

Reflection 2

1. When you hear the word politics, do you have a negative idea of it? Why did you say
that?
2. How can your knowledge of Politics help you? (For instance, through politics I will be
able to assert my citizenship.)
Values of Politics

1. Politics lets me know who I am as a citizen. I am a Filipino.

2. Politics helps me to know my rights.
3. Politics tells me where I live and its boundaries and that no one should take it away from
me harshly.
4. Politics clarifies what I believe in.
5. Politics helps me prepare for adult life.

Definition of Political Science

- It is defined as the systematic study of political and governmental institutions and

processes (Ranney, 1995).
- It is a discipline that seeks to understand the relationship between individual and
political institutions.
- To Paul Janet, it is that part of science which treats the foundations of the state and
the principles of government.
- But it is not only limited to the study of the state and government, but it also includes
the society in macro perspective in so far as various institutions of the state are
interrelated with one another.

The Science of Politics

1. It is the basic knowledge and understanding of the state and the principles and ideals
which underlie its organization and activities.

2. It is primarily concerned with the association of human beings into ‘’body politic” or in a
political community.

3. It deals with those relations among men and groups which are subject to control by the
state with the relations of men and groups to the state itself and the relations of the state
to another state.

Stages in the Study of Political Science

1. Religious Stage – the government, its leaders and laws, was considered as divine or
divinely inspired.

2. Metaphysical Stage – the state was considered as a human institution, and it is,
therefore absolute (cannot be changed).

3. Modern Stage – the state was deemed capable of being improved by rulers and subjects
according to certain principles and laws.
Reflection 3

Write a paragraph about why Political Science is considered as a science. Can it be considered
as an art?

Definition of Governance

Governance

– the process of decision–making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or
not implemented). Good governance assumes that the views of minorities are taken into
account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-
making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of the society.
– Government of the people, by the people, for the people – Abraham Lincoln
Vox populi vox dei – The voice of the people is the voice of God.

Characteristics of Good Governance

1. Participation – Both men and women must partake directly or indirectly in every
government process. It is the key cornerstone of good governance.
2. Rule of law – the impartiality of law such as the promotion of a full protection of human
rights
3. Transparency – It means that information is freely available and directly accessible and
is provided in understandable forms.
4. Responsiveness – it requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders
within a reasonable timeframe.
5. Consensus oriented – it requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a
general agreement on what is in the best interest of the whole community.
6. Effectiveness and efficiency – it means producing results that meet the needs of society
while making the best use of resources.
7. Accountability – public officials should be held accountable on their actions and
decisions

Reflection 4

Write a paragraph about President Duterte’s governance. Rate it in accordance to

Characteristics of Good Governance (10 being the highest score, 0 being the lowest). Explain
your ratings.
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in Politics is that you end up being governed by
your inferiors – Plato

No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power - Jacob Bronowski

Corruption is the enemy of development and of good governance – Pratibha Patil